Perceiving that you are perceiving --in other words, the mind is conscious of its consciousness, like the mind being self conscious-- a state of real cool detachment

As the dramatic scene of the tragedyunfolded in front of my eyes, I was in a state of apperception -- on one hand, living through the raw emotions,and on the other hand, perceiving from afar the sheer scale and consequences of what was happening to me and those around me